Dining Itineary was locked and loaded and I just blew it up. Did I do the right thing

[michaela mouse]

Ok..we're leaving in approximatly 48 days and our dining interary was locked and loaded with ressie's and the whole 9 yards.
After sitting down and thinking about it logically, the DW and I worked the numbers to see how much we would be spending "ballpark" with DS5 and DD8. We realized that we were going to spend a ton on food and not neccessary getting the most bang for our buck "love that show on HGTV, by the way. Why don't I have $50k laying around to redo my basement"...Anyway.... we really started over. Here goes...let me know if I'm nuts.

First of all, we couldn't get a ressie at T-Rex online via the disney site so I followed the disboard faithfail advise and called the restaurant this morning and got the pick of my choice for dinner. We had a hole that night so that fit in nicely. THANK YOU..

We CANCELED out ressie at Cape May Cafe for dinner. We were going for the seafood and I've been years ago. My wife once and this was her call. So we went to the menu to see the cost. It's like $40/adult and $26 or so for children. We're huge fans of Fulton's and said...for that type of cash let's get the real thing "king crab claws" not the skinny legs on the buffet at Cape May. The Fulton's ressie online had some great times for us to choice from.

We CANCELED our ressie at Teppan Edo. I know, I know..the food is fantastic and the show is amazing. There, I beat you to it. But I did hear from some of you that the meal is ala cart. Just the Filet is $30. Sure we'd all enjoy it but would I enjoy paying a $150 tab and would the kids enjoy eating hot dogs the rest of the trip???? So we'll be flying by the seat of our pants for dinner in Epcot. Maybe we'll do the quickserve in Mexico. Anyone recommend anything esle?

We CANCELED our breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. This was going to be our ONLY character dining experience but after further research found out there was only going to be two characters there. I get the character thing, you pay more to see them...I get it but for those to 2nd class characters. We decided to move on.


We also moved a couple of our breakfast ressie's earlier. We decided to hit the parks an hour earlier since DD and DS tend to poop out when the sun starts blazing and the thoughts of cannonballs and marco polo creep into their heads. We're still on schedule to hit Boma and Kona Cafe for breakfast.

We do have a ressie for our last night at Planet Hollywood. I know the food is average but we're thinking the kids will get a kick out of it. Haven't been in 10 years or so. Is it still decent?

Let me know your thoughts. Too much time before the plane takes off. Might be changing things around AGAIN with all your comments.

DD

 

[LockShockBarrel]

As far as your Epcot day goes, and your kids dig the characters, had you considered Garden Grill? According to allears, its $35 for adults and $17 for kids, so definitely less than 1900PF and with 4 characters. You sometimes see bad reviews on here about it but I didn't find them to be true at all.

Or if you don't want to do the sit down thing, consider Sunshine Seasons. Lots of options here and the portion sizes were enormous (at least what we got).

 

[ZuzuWDW]

where did you read that there are only 2 characters at 1900 Park Fare breakfast? we went in January and saw Pooh, Tigger, Alice, Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins...

my opinion of Planet Hollywood is that I wouldn't bother and I would spend the money on a more unique WDW/non-chain restaurant but I guess that depends on what you're looking for...

 

[Cafeen]

Ok..we're leaving in approximatly 48 days and our dining interary was locked and loaded with ressie's and the whole 9 yards.
After sitting down and thinking about it logically, the DW and I worked the numbers to see how much we would be spending "ballpark" with DS5 and DD8. We realized that we were going to spend a ton on food and not neccessary getting the most bang for our buck "love that show on HGTV, by the way. Why don't I have $50k laying around to redo my basement"...Anyway.... we really started over. Here goes...let me know if I'm nuts.

First of all, we couldn't get a ressie at T-Rex online via the disney site so I followed the disboard faithfail advise and called the restaurant this morning and got the pick of my choice for dinner. We had a hole that night so that fit in nicely. THANK YOU..

We CANCELED out ressie at Cape May Cafe for dinner. We were going for the seafood and I've been years ago. My wife once and this was her call. So we went to the menu to see the cost. It's like $40/adult and $26 or so for children. We're huge fans of Fulton's and said...for that type of cash let's get the real thing "king crab claws" not the skinny legs on the buffet at Cape May. The Fulton's ressie online had some great times for us to choice from.

We CANCELED our ressie at Teppan Edo. I know, I know..the food is fantastic and the show is amazing. There, I beat you to it. But I did hear from some of you that the meal is ala cart. Just the Filet is $30. Sure we'd all enjoy it but would I enjoy paying a $150 tab and would the kids enjoy eating hot dogs the rest of the trip???? So we'll be flying by the seat of our pants for dinner in Epcot. Maybe we'll do the quickserve in Mexico. Anyone recommend anything esle?

We CANCELED our breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. This was going to be our ONLY character dining experience but after further research found out there was only going to be two characters there. I get the character thing, you pay more to see them...I get it but for those to 2nd class characters. We decided to move on.


We also moved a couple of our breakfast ressie's earlier. We decided to hit the parks an hour earlier since DD and DS tend to poop out when the sun starts blazing and the thoughts of cannonballs and marco polo creep into their heads. We're still on schedule to hit Boma and Kona Cafe for breakfast.

We do have a ressie for our last night at Planet Hollywood. I know the food is average but we're thinking the kids will get a kick out of it. Haven't been in 10 years or so. Is it still decent?

Let me know your thoughts. Too much time before the plane takes off. Might be changing things around AGAIN with all your comments.

DD

The Fulton's reservation sounds like a good plan. I know at least one of the people around here loves that place (it's not me, I'm not a seafood fan at all!) It may be a bit pricey at the top end, but you're sure to have better food than the buffet.

Teppan Edo has Seasonal Vegetables with Udon noodles and steamed rice with every entree, not entirely sure what you're saying here? As for alternatives, most every country has some very good CS places too. I thoroughly enjoy the Mexican place, but I've also heard great things about Norway, Japan, France, and Morocco. Can even mix it up a bit and get a meal or two from a couple different places and enjoy the variety.

1900 Park Fare. I'm wondering where you heard this as well? Everything I've heard, seen, and experienced (in the 1 breakfast I did there, heh) has shown 4/5 characters. The breakfast I went to was in Sept 2009 and we had Snow White (fill-in for Mad Hatter), Mary Poppins, Alice, Tigger, and Pooh. (Granted, I support canceling this meal, as it was not very good back when I went, some people love it though)

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I agree with Zuzu.Granted I haven't been to PH in a few years but honestly it was so loud and crowded and the food was just kind of..meh...I'm not sure your little ones would get a ton out of it except for the general excitement, you know? I think they're too young to focus and be like "Oh that thingy is from this movie...and that doodad is from that movie!" But you obviously know them better than us...the only things I can distinctly remember from PH was Thing for Addaams Family and the town hall from Nightmare before Christmas (which I completely geeked out over).

 

[HunnyJar]

Ok..we're leaving in approximatly 48 days and our dining interary was locked and loaded with ressie's and the whole 9 yards.
After sitting down and thinking about it logically, the DW and I worked the numbers to see how much we would be spending "ballpark" with DS5 and DD8. We realized that we were going to spend a ton on food and not neccessary getting the most bang for our buck "love that show on HGTV, by the way. Why don't I have $50k laying around to redo my basement"...Anyway.... we really started over. Here goes...let me know if I'm nuts.

First of all, we couldn't get a ressie at T-Rex online via the disney site so I followed the disboard faithfail advise and called the restaurant this morning and got the pick of my choice for dinner. We had a hole that night so that fit in nicely. THANK YOU..

We CANCELED out ressie at Cape May Cafe for dinner. We were going for the seafood and I've been years ago. My wife once and this was her call. So we went to the menu to see the cost. It's like $40/adult and $26 or so for children. We're huge fans of Fulton's and said...for that type of cash let's get the real thing "king crab claws" not the skinny legs on the buffet at Cape May. The Fulton's ressie online had some great times for us to choice from.

We CANCELED our ressie at Teppan Edo. I know, I know..the food is fantastic and the show is amazing. There, I beat you to it. But I did hear from some of you that the meal is ala cart. Just the Filet is $30. Sure we'd all enjoy it but would I enjoy paying a $150 tab and would the kids enjoy eating hot dogs the rest of the trip???? So we'll be flying by the seat of our pants for dinner in Epcot. Maybe we'll do the quickserve in Mexico. Anyone recommend anything esle?

We CANCELED our breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. This was going to be our ONLY character dining experience but after further research found out there was only going to be two characters there. I get the character thing, you pay more to see them...I get it but for those to 2nd class characters. We decided to move on.

We also moved a couple of our breakfast ressie's earlier. We decided to hit the parks an hour earlier since DD and DS tend to poop out when the sun starts blazing and the thoughts of cannonballs and marco polo creep into their heads. We're still on schedule to hit Boma and Kona Cafe for breakfast.

We do have a ressie for our last night at Planet Hollywood. I know the food is average but we're thinking the kids will get a kick out of it. Haven't been in 10 years or so. Is it still decent?
Let me know your thoughts. Too much time before the plane takes off. Might be changing things around AGAIN with all your comments.

DD

1900 PF has five characters for breakfast like the PP said. This was a really big hit for my family last year, but we're going for dinner this time round. We did find the food very fresh and tasty, but we wanted to see how dinner was now.

And last time we went to PH the food wasn't great. Maybe it has changed, but the food came to use burnt and when we said something to the server.. Well, she just kind of looked at us like, "And..?" We probably won't be back for sometime if at all.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Tricia1972]

I always say listen to the opinions of others who have been there and done that, but in the end just go with your gut. Your plan sounds perfect for you and your family ~ I hope that you have a great trip!!

Also, I kind of understand what you're saying on 1900 PF for breakfast. I'd never do the breakfast for the character experience, because it seems like an odd assortment of characters to me. Snow White, Alice and Mary Poppins don't seem related at all to me. I am sure that they're all fun, it just seems odd to me so I personally would steer away. Not that they are bad, they're just not my thing. Tigger and Pooh make sense together, but I wouldn't go to the buffet just for those two.

I think that if you are happier now when you are planning your vacation and thinking about it, you did exactly the right thing!

 

[Cafeen]

it seems like an odd assortment of characters to me. Snow White, Alice and Mary Poppins don't seem related at all to me. I am sure that they're all fun, it just seems odd to me so I personally would steer away. Not that they are bad, they're just not my thing. Tigger and Pooh make sense together, but I wouldn't go to the buffet just for those two.

Well, thinking about the standard 5 (Alice, Hatter, Mary Poppins, Tigger, and Pooh. Snow White is only a "fill-in" when one of those 5 have prior engagements), it's pretty much the main 5 British characters. That's about all I got as far as connection though. Not too sure if it fits with the overall theme of GF though, it simply states "Victorian", so I suppose it might, but it feels more like "American Victorian" than "British Victorian".

 

[HunnyJar]

Well, thinking about the standard 5 (Alice, Hatter, Mary Poppins, Tigger, and Pooh. Snow White is only a "fill-in" when one of those 5 have prior engagements), it's pretty much the main 5 British characters. That's about all I got as far as connection though. Not too sure if it fits with the overall theme of GF though, it simply states "Victorian", so I suppose it might, but it feels more like "American Victorian" than "British Victorian".

My husband and I were trying to figure out the connection (if any) to the five characters during breakfast and the only thing we could really come up with is the fact that they are British characters and perhaps they were all based in the "Victorian" times. I think it would be better if it were either all Pooh and friends or all of Alice and friends rather than the sort of hodgepodge of characters they have now. That being said, we really enjoyed our experience there with all those characters last year.

 

[Mom2HandR]

I would cancel PH. Worst meal of our trip last week - we were blowing our last 4 TS credits and I still regretted it. Service was bad. All in all, awful. Wish we had done anything else.

 

[michaela mouse]

Planet Hollywood is canceled. We're doing Portabello in DTD instead.
Checked on garden grill and we can't get in for either dinner or breakfast. That's ok...I feel pretty good about what we have.

thanks all..

 

[juliebug1997]

I thought Portabello was just average. In fact, I think Tony's is better.

Garden Grill doesn't do breakfast which is kind of sad IMO.

 

[HunnyJar]

I thought Portabello was just average. In fact, I think Tony's is better.

Garden Grill doesn't do breakfast which is kind of sad IMO.

They used to serve breakfast and seriously it was my favorite meal during our trip. The food was excellent and the characters were amazing.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Nope you are not crazy...infact we leave in about 44 days and just the other morning my DH and I decided to sit down and go over our ADRs one more time. We are on DxDP so the cost means nothing to us, but I just had some problems about some of the ADRs that we had, for instance we too had Teppan Edo which DH and I love, but I know my kids don't so we decided to cancel that and go to Yachtsman's Steakhouse for our first night dinner before heading over to Epcot for the night. We also switched around some breakfast reservations that fit better into our touring plans. We also canceled Kouzzina's for breakfast and instead we are doing 1900 Park Fare (my DD9 really wanted to eat here again, and fortunately we were able to get a great time). We also added Cape May Cafe Dinner (never been before and we are staying at BCV so it is very convenient for us) and as of right now we added another Captain's Grill breakfast unless a Tusker House breakfast opens up for our AK day (so far, not so good). So with all of our changes with a month and half to go, I definitely would say you were not crazy....or if you are, than we are just as crazy as you

 

[JLS]

The one place where I think you may be going wrong is Planet Hollywood. That place is pretty horrible. I doubt that the kids will be that into it unless they are teenagers (and maybe not even then, depending on what memorabilia is there), and the food is gross and overpriced. I would keep a character meal first. Donald's Safari Breakfast at Animal Kingdom is our favorite. Cape May Cafe at BC is also nice.

 

[pigletto]

I actually think you made great decisions! It seems like a solid plan to me.
I can't speak to Planet Hollywood.. I haven't been there.
The only thing I might do is drop one of those breakfast reservations. Kona Cafe was alright, but nothing spectacular and 70 dollars for breakfast seemed ridiculous.